A four-star Venetian palace where the staff and the location carry the stay, and the quiet back side pays off.
Best for / Tips to get it right
Best for
- Couples on a getaway: 26 of 42 reviews praise the location, and several mention drinks in a secluded corner overlooking the canal.
- Travellers without a car: the hotel is reached by water taxi, and one review notes you step off the boat onto the hotel doorstep.
- Families with kids: 4 reviews mention families, and one describes a suite with two teens that worked well because the room was spacious.
- Food-first travellers: 10 reviews highlight the bar and restaurant, and 9 mention the breakfast, including dairy-free and vegan options.
Tips to get it right
- Ask for a room on the back if you sleep lightly, a few reviews mention noise from the square.
- Check whether your rate includes breakfast, it is served at the hotel but the terms depend on the booking.
- Book the water taxi through the hotel in advance if you arrive at the airport, one guest paid around $220 for the transfer.
- If you want to be in the middle of the tourist flow, look at the map first, this square is quiet by design.
Why this one
Ruzzini Palace Hotel sits on Campiello Santa Maria Formosa, a small square in Venice that stays calm even when the rest of the city is not. Out of 42 reviews we read, 30 mention the staff and 26 mention the location. Those two numbers alone tell you where the weight of this hotel sits. People come back from breakfast talking about the team, and they come back from a walk talking about how close everything was.
What guests keep saying
The staff is the single most repeated theme, with 30 of 42 reviews mentioning it. Guests describe them as friendly, helpful and attentive, and one review notes that French-speaking staff were available. The location comes second, with 26 mentions. People walk to the Rialto Bridge in about 10 minutes and to St Mark's Square in six or seven, and the water taxi can drop you at the door.
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staffpraised 30 / 71%
“Very friendly and helpful staff.”
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locationpraised 26 / 62%
“1) Unbeatable, strategic location.”
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the restaurantpraised 10 / 24%
“We can also recommend to take a drink at the bar.”
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breakfastpraised 9 / 21%
“Excellent breakfast options including some dairy free and vegan.”
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room sizepraised 9 / 21%
“We had a bedroom with an adjoining sitting area that was extremely spacious.”
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cleanlinesspraised 9 / 21%
“Very clean and great view from our room.”
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how quiet it ispraised 5 / 12%
“Marks Square, but very quiet back at Ruzzini.”
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familiespraised 4 / 10%
“Definitely will recommend to friends and family.”
Check the sources yourself
We show 5 of the 42 reviews we read, with a direct link to each one on its original site. Open any of them and check that the quote and the count are real.
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Rachel Jenkins ★★★★★ 21 September 2026
“The staff was very friendly. The morning breakfast has a lot to choose from and everything was very tasty. They also offer a free water taxi to Murano Island where there is a glass factory and we were given a great little tour of how the...”
Backs up: staff Open on Google -
Wes Southern ★★★★★ 5 September 2026
“The hotel is so accommodating and beautiful. Wonderful staff and perfect location. We would recommend this hotel to anyone wanting to have an amazing time in Venice.”
Backs up: location Open on Google
Murano & Burano Islands Guided Small-Group Tour by Private Boat
The bit the hotel does not tell you
Several reviews mention that the hotel has no reception coverage after 8pm, and one guest who arrived after 10pm was told there was nobody on site. If your train or flight lands late, arrange your arrival with the hotel before you travel so you are not standing outside a locked door in Venice.
Who we pictured staying here
Couples on a getaway
Ruzzini Palace Hotel puts them a short walk from St Mark's Square and the Rialto, and the quiet square means the evening does not end in noise. Several reviews mention drinks in a secluded corner overlooking the canal, which is exactly the kind of nightcap this pair wants.
See allTravelling without a car
Ruzzini Palace Hotel is reached by water taxi and one review notes you step off the boat onto the hotel doorstep. No parking, no shuttle bus, no dragging a suitcase across bridges. For someone who plans trips around boats and trains, this is the right shape of hotel.
See allFamilies with young kids
Ruzzini Palace Hotel has suites that guests describe as spacious, and one family with two teens stayed in one and had nothing but good things to say. The staff get 30 mentions out of 42 reviews, which matters when you are travelling with children and need help fast.
See allWhile you are in Venice
Experiences booked through Viator. We may earn a commission on these, never on your room.
Legendary Venice Doge's Palace & St. Mark's with Exclusive Access
Venice In a Day St Mark's Doges Palace Gondola Ride and City Tour
Eat Like a Local: Venice 3-Hour Small-Group Food Tasting Tour
Venice's Best: Basilica, Doge's Palace, Gondola & History Gallery
Before you book
How far is Ruzzini Palace Hotel from St Mark's Square and the Rialto Bridge?
Is breakfast included at Ruzzini Palace Hotel?
Does Ruzzini Palace Hotel have canal views?
Can you arrive at Ruzzini Palace Hotel by water taxi?
Is Ruzzini Palace Hotel good for families?
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